Carbon Accounting Guidelines for Clean Energy Businesses in Thailand: Conceptual Framework, Professional Roles, and Policy Recommendations

Abstract

Climate change causes the Thai business sector, particularly clean energy businesses, to have to accelerate the development of a reliable greenhouse gas emission measurement and reporting system that is consistent with the country's context. This article aims to propose guidelines for Carbon Accounting for clean energy businesses in Thailand by integrating international standards, namely the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol), ISO 14064, and IFRS S2, together with sustainability frameworks, namely the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Framework, Circular Economy, and Stakeholder Theory, to support the measurement, analysis, and disclosure of greenhouse gas emission data transparently and conducive to verification. The article points out that carbon accounting is not merely a technical process but a strategic tool that helps executives set targets and plans for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, as well as elevating readiness for disclosure criteria and access to green finance. However, the application in Thailand still faces significant limitations, including a shortage of specialized personnel, incomplete data infrastructure, and insufficient policy incentives. The article therefore offers practical recommendations on personnel capacity building, data system organization, and policy support, to ensure that the integration of carbon accounting in the clean energy sector yields sustainable results, coupled with the creation of civil society participation.